McAngus said her ability to save par led to firing a tournament-best 74 on the final day.

“I was managing to make pars with up and downs from 50, 60 yards out,” she said.

Moving to Alaska is partially responsible for those results.

Playing on unforgiving greens the past two summers has enhanced McAngus’ short game, she said.

“Being up here has made me a better putter,” she said. “You’re not gonna get a good roll if you don’t put a good stroke on it.”

Despite the downpour Saturday and showers Sunday, the conditions were decent at Settlers Bay, McAngus said.

“This course drains well,” she said.

Moose Run Creek Course — site of the first two rounds — and Settlers Bay are in optimal condition, McAngus said.

“Settlers and Moose are very comparable to the Lower 48,” she said. “These are some of the best conditions in the two years I’ve been here.”

Not knowing the area when she moved to Eagle River with her husband — who flies for UPS — McAngus said she couldn’t have chosen a better place to live.

Just 30 minutes from courses in both Anchorage and Mat-Su, Eagle River is centrally located to the area’s golf courses, she said. It also neighbors the links on Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson where McAngus works as a night marshal at Moose Run.

“Eagle River is a great location for golfers,” she said. “We’ll enjoy his tenure here.”

Now that she’s successfully defended her state title, McAngus is hoping to earn a spot in the United States Golf Association 2012 Senior Women’s Amateur Championships in Hershey, Penn., on Sept. 8-13.